Temeraire - Naomi Novik

This is the first in the a series of novels by Naomi Novik and indeed her first novel, and what a promising start. <B>Plot Outline</B> The book is set during the Napoleonic war. My history is not good (sorry Mr Bonner) but I'm guessing it is not exactly an accurate account of the wars! It starts when naval captain William Laurence's ship takes a French ship thereby securing itself a dragon egg. The dragon hatches soon after and takes a liking to Laurence. In the line of duty Laurence is forced to abandon his known and accepted life in the Navy for a life as a social outcast in the Aerial Corps. The dragon, Temeraire, is very ...  Read the complete review

I recently read a very good review on a book, and it sounded like the kind of story I would enjoy, so I decided to spend some of my vouchers on it, and I wasn't disappointed. Temeraire by Naomi Novik, is one of the most charming books I have read in a long time. The Author. Naomi Novik was born in New York in 1973, and says she was raised on Polish fairy tales and Tolkein. She studied English literature at Brown University and did Graduate work in computer science at Columbia University. She has also worked in design and development computer games. She won many awards for Temeraire, also known as His Majesty's Dragon, which was her first ...  Read the complete review

The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar was followed by the publication of several books set in the Napoleonic Wars. Among these Naomi Novik's debut novel stands out for its striking originality, as well as for being a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable novel. Fans of historical fiction should be warned though, this is not quite your average Napoleonic novel. It is what I would call historical fantasy because (and please don't be put off by this!) it features dragons. I know, it sounds awful, but bear with me - it really is a well written and very entertaining read... Laurence, Captain of the British ship, the 'Reliant', is surprised at ...  Read the complete review

This is a book I've had on my shelf for a while, and only recently got around to reading. After finally picking it up, I finished it in three days. The concept is a fresh one in fantasy; an alternative history that has dragons fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. I must say I enjoyed it immensely. The characters are instantly believable, and the dragons especially so. Temeraire is inquisitive and intelligent right out of the egg, and he is instantly lovable. Sam for the other dragons; every time there is an aerial battle my heart was in my mouth and I was praying that each of the dragons I had come to love would be alright. I think the dragon ...  Read the complete review

This is just the first book, there are now 5! Highly recommend each and every one of them. Fantastically written, great characterization, individual and very original idea. The books are a great mix of historical content and fantasy, a combination which sounds as though it shouldn't work- Napoleon and dragons? But wow, Novik has really pulled this off. The story is based around a naval captain who becomes forever linked in comraderie with a dragon, Temeraire who hatched from an egg won from a french ship. The novel is brim-filled with action, battle and adventure, but is perfectly balanced with humour and comedy. The Napoleonic Britian that Novik creates is brilliantly ...  Read the complete review